“…and we’ll run full telemetry comparisons after FP1,” the engineer was saying, eyes flicking between us. “We’re expecting mid-range temps with a strong chance of rain during the race window. If it stays dry, we’ll see moderate degradation—but the hard compound probably won’t be viable either way.”
“Copy that,” Callum said, chipper as ever.
The briefing began to wrap up, final notes ticking off the agenda.
Ross cleared his throat and fixed us both with his sharp stare. “I don’t need to remind either of you—Shanghai is critical. Not just for points. For optics. We need unity. Performance. Control.”
That last word landed like a warning shot.
I nodded once. Silent. Measured. Exactly what he expected.
Callum, all optimism and youth, cracked a grin. “Let’s go give them something to talk about.”
I almost smiled.
Almost.
But the truth was, they were already talking.
And no amount of damage control could undo what Suzuka had started.
Heidi had commandeered a corner office near the hospitality suite, all sleek lines and backlit screens. A dozen cue cards lay face-up on the table like we were about to summon spirits. Honestly, I’d have preferred that.
“Let’s start with the obvious,” she said, perched on the edge of the glass desk. “Suzuka.”
“Of course,” I muttered.
Terri sat on the sofa, legs crossed, tablet in her lap. “They’ll want to know what happened. Why you pitted early. What went wrong with the car.”
“Nothing went wrong with the car.”
“Then what went wrong with you?” Heidi’s tone was neutral, professional, but sharp enough to draw blood.
I leaned back in my chair and stared at the ceiling. “You want a soundbite or the truth?”
“I want both,” she said, arms folding. “But outside this room you control the narrative. You’re lucky this isn’t spiralling already. The only reason it isn’t is because you’re still second in the championship—barely. But if you tank again in Shanghai, the story becomes that the king’s crown is slipping. And we don’t want that narrative.”
“I know the narrative.”
“Then stick to it.” She picked up the first cue card. “‘It wasn’t our best weekend, but I trust the team and I’m focused on delivering a strong result in Shanghai.’”
I rolled my eyes.
Terri looked up from her screen. “You want something more natural? Say the same thing in your own words.”
“I’d rather say nothing.”
Heidi gave me the look. The one that reminded me she worked with Ross for a reason.
I sighed and sat forward, elbows on my knees. “We had some issues in Suzuka. We’ve reviewed everything, and I’m focused on Shanghai. I’m confident we can bounce back.”
“Better,” Terri said, tapping it out on her tablet. “Use ‘bounce back’ again later. It makes you sound human.”
I gave her a dry look. “How tragic.”
She grinned. “You’re welcome.”
Heidi flipped to another card. “If anyone brings up Elena Archer—”
